In the last week, three men have drowned off the coast of Nice while a fourth has been hospitalised after getting into difficulty in the sea. The tragic incidents on the famous beaches of the Promenade des Anglais have cast a dark shadow over the start of the summer season in the Riviera capital.
The strong swell and currents experienced by swimmers in the Baie des Anges, and elsewhere in the region, over the last week or so have had fatal consequences for three men, who drowned in three separate incidents in the past week, as reported by the local French press.
Firstly, the body of a man in his 30s was retrieved from the water mid-morning on Saturday 29th June. He is believed to have fallen into the sea from the breakwater barrier in the port.
The following day, at around 6pm on Sunday 30th June, the Nice Matin reported that a 40-year-old man had drowned near the Plage des Ponchettes on the Promenade des Anglais. The newspaper reports that he was found around 20 metres from the shore and, despite the best efforts of a 10-strong team of firefighters who attended the scene, the victim could not be resuscitated and died of cardiac arrest.
Meanwhile, and just metres away from Ponchettes, a 22-year-old male suffered a major scare when he became trapped by the swell. His friends, reports the Nice Matin, helped bring the young man back to the beach, where he was given emergency treatment before being transported to Nice’s Pasteur hospital. He is believed to have been discharged.
These latter two incidents saw the red flag raised on the surrounding beaches, which were evacuated to allow the emergency services full access to the two men.
Then, just before 1am on Tuesday 2nd July, firefighters and Samu agents were called to Cocoon Beach following reports of another man in the water. Despite all attempts to save him, the man in his 20s was later pronounced dead.
The conditions led the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes to issue a number of warnings and advice to beachgoers.
These include keeping a watchful eye on children at all times while on the beach, as well as recommendations for swimmers who might find themselves in difficulty, such as resisting the urge to swim against the current and to turn onto your back to rest and call for help.
The important telephone numbers to be aware of in France are 15 for the Samu, 17 for the firefighting service, which is often called in cases of dangerous accidents or moments of ‘peril’, and 196 for an at-sea rescue.
Monaco Life discusses the latest insights into the world of jewellery and market trends with Teresa Scarlata of Wannenes Auction House, as she reveals exclusive details about the upcoming ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Luxe’ Wannenes auction and the history behind some of the rarest pieces on offer.
Teresa Scarlata is an experienced figure in the jewellery auction world, joining Wannenes in 2017 and currently serving as the Head of the Jewellery Department and Director of the Monaco office for Wannenes Auction House
Wannenes Auction House, established in 2001 in Genoa, is known for its blend of traditional antiquarian approaches and engagement with the modern, international market. The company has steadily expanded its operations with new offices in Rome (2003), Milan (2008), Monaco (2017), and Turin (2024), carrying out auctions in each location.
“We carefully select the pieces according to the location the auction is taking place as every auction is a story,” said Teresa Scarlata. “But what we always offer to our clients is something unusual and rare.”
These branches support the Genoese headquarters through a network of art historians, antique dealers, gallery owners, and other experts. Wannenes has achieved notable success with private treaty sales and auctions, including selling a significant altarpiece by Ludovico Brea to the National Gallery of Palazzo Spinola in Genoa.
Auction highlights
Upcoming events at Wannenes include the ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Luxe’ auction, featuring carefully selected 314 lots, which is scheduled for 8th and 9th July at the Hôtel Metropole in Monaco. This auction will feature sessions for jewellery and luxury bags, with Teresa Scarlata, Benedetta Romanini, and Costanza da Schio and Entela Cela Musolesi serving as experts.
“This is a sale that includes a lot of different kinds of items, so I think the direction will be positive as there are many pieces from private clients that have never been seen before on the market,” revealed Scarlata.
Teresa Scarlata
The ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Luxe’ auction star is a Cartier brooch from the Panther Collection, featuring sapphires, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, estimated at €25,000 – €35,000. This piece reflects the iconic designs of Jeanne Toussaint, the influential director of fine jewellery at Cartier from 1933, known for her long-standing association with panther motifs. Scarlata noted, “This is a vintage burch of that iconic collection of Cartier, as it is produced in platinum in the ‘80’s, making it a very special lot.”
A section of the auction catalogue will also be dedicated to Bulgari for its 140th anniversary. “We have several very interesting pieces, for example, a nice coral and diamond necklace,” said Scarlata. This necklace, engraved Bvlgari, is estimated at €5,000 – €6,000.
According to Scarlata, one of the rarest lots at the ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Luxe’ auction is a platinum, gold, and diamond tiara/necklace signed by Musy Padre e Figli Torino. It features old and rose-cut diamonds, a PT hallmark, and an original case and is estimated at €24,000 – €28,000.
Musy Padre e Figli, the oldest jewellery house in Italy, has a distinguished history of crafting precious pieces for the Italian royal family, including several creations for Queen Margherita di Savoia. “These pieces are quite rare to see on the market,” stated Scarlata.
The unmounted 8.74 carat emerald cannot go without mention. “The colour of this stone is incredible, and so is the transparency, making it very difficult to find an emerald of this beauty and homogeneity,” revealed Scarlata, adding that this precious lot is estimated at €80,000-90,000 and will draw the most interest from collectors.
All the important stones in the Wannenes auctions are certified by the most recognized laboratories, such as SSEF and the GIA, which makes buyers more comfortable and trusting as they know what they are buying. “It’s important for us to establish a trustworthy relationship with our clients,” stated Scarlata.
Another piece that is expected to draw significant attention from collectors is a very rare pair of 15-mm-dimeter natural pearl and diamond earrings.
Marchak box
A personal favourite lot of Scarlata is the stunning onyx, mother of pearl, and diamond vanity case signed Marchak Paris, 1898, featuring a mirror and French hallmark. This lot is estimated at €6,000 – €7,000. Joseph Marchak, known as the ‘Cartier of Kiev’, established his jewellery business in the Russian Empire before his family relocated to Paris, where his son Alexander continued the legacy despite interruptions from both World Wars.
Another auction, ‘Montres Rares’, will be held on 8th July, alongside the ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Luxe’ auction at the Hôtel Metropole, with Giacomo Cora and Michele Rosa as the overseeing specialists.
Deep dive into market trends
To assess the appeal of these lots, the market must be thoroughly understood. “The market now is quite difficult. We have a very rare section of signed pieces and period jewels to satisfy our clients’ taste,” disclosed Scarlata. The ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Lux’ features 408signed lots all together.
The auctions sales are also conducted online so clients can buy from across the globe. “With online sales now, there really is no limit,” said Scarlata. These clients look after the sought-out pieces, so it’s important to try to meet their tastes and needs.
The criteria used to select these lots are also based on the market’s demand. The smaller, not signed pieces are also still sold at the Wannenes auction, as they’re “something you buy because you like it, and that’s it,” said Scarlata. Other selections are made for clients who love and collect jewellery.
The market demands change constantly as jewellery follows a certain fashion. “In the 90’s, everything was in yellow gold, then in the 2000’s everything was more about natural pearls, the the cultivated and the south seas pearls, now the yellow gold has come back again, it’s a cycle,” revealed Scarlata.
But what never changes is the fact that clients always expect quality. Another trend is that at its peak right now is pure pearls, according to Scarlata. Therefore, the ‘Bijoux et Sacs de Luxe’auction also features unmounted gems.
“The constant change in the market demand is why my criteria is very wide,” said Scarlata. However, she adds, the important aspects of a piece are its sell-ability, quality, and rarity, which set a benchmark for whether it is a good investment or not.
“We sold a pair of sapphire earrings from Kashmir, it was a very rare sale. The father of the owner of the earrings bought them in the 1960’s as an investment and paid around 400 million lira at the time. We started with an estimate of €400,000 and sold them for €1.7 million,” shared Scarlata. This sale is very explanatory of how investment in stones works.
Monaco’s top was a pair of Kashmir sapphire earrings that started from an auction base of 1 million and reached €2.960.000.
For collectors today, Scarlata advises: “Always try to buy high-quality items with the correct certification, and we at Wannenes are always available to give suggestions and advice.”
With a record number of galleries taking part in this year’s Monaco Art Week, the traditional press Walking Tour was split into two. Here, we present the next round of galleries that are taking part as well as the exciting exhibitions on show to the general public.
Held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Monaco Art Week has gone from strength to strength since its first edition six years ago.
Today, Monaco’s leading art galleries, both small and large, are taking part in the event, which conveniently takes art enthusiasts on a map-guided walking tour throughout the Principality.
The event is always a hit with the local press and, on Wednesday, Part Two of the Monaco Art Week Walking Tour took place, taking us to the following galleries:
Galerie Retelet
Founded in 1990, Galerie Retelet is a leading secondary market gallery specialised in the Surrealist movement and its legacy. In addition to its commitment to Surrealism, the gallery – located at 7 Boulevard des Moulins – also supports and exhibits established international American artists as well as a few other major artists of the 20th century.
Currently on show is the Alexander Calder exhibition, one of the most important American sculptors of the 20th century. Calder created a colourful and luminous universe mixing all media. This exhibition features more than 15 pieces by the American artist, giving visitors a complete understanding of his works.
The Monaco Art Week Walking Tour takes in the works of Alexander Calder at the Galerie Retelet. Photo by Monaco Life.
Artcurial – Monaco Sculptures
Conveniently located next to Galerie Retelet is Artcurial, which is promoting its very popular Monaco Sculptures auction.
Now in its fifth year, Monaco Sculptures is held in partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) and features monumental works positioned at key SBM institutions, such as the Hôtel Hermitage and in the Boulingrins garden opposite the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
The exhibition, which began in April, features a captivating selection of contemporary artworks, with remarkable pieces coming from collections around the world. It culminates in a sale on 10th July at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Among the highlights this year are pieces in the Patrice Trigano’s collection, with works by César, Arman, Philippe Hiquily, Allen Jones, Berto Lardera and Salvador Dali reflecting the journey of this passionate art lover.
‘Infanta Margarita’ by Manolo Valdés is among the monumental artworks displayed for Artcurial’s Monaco Sculptures. Photo by Monaco Life.
Hauser & Wirth
Situated within the same gardens is the Hauser & Wirth Gallery, so it’s a natural next stop in the Walking Tour. This incredible gallery is currently showing ‘Larry Bell: Works from the 1970s’, focusing on Larry Bell’s architecturally scaled works from the 1970s, particularly his standing walls.
The display includes four large-scale glass sculptures from the early 70s as well Bell’s recent work, The Blue Gate (2021), situated in the Boulingrins garden and showcasing his mastery of colour and complex forms through monochrome colour-laminated glass.
Works by Larry Bell at Hauser & Wirth. Photo by Monaco Life.
Moretti Fine Art
A short stride across the street takes us to Moretti Fine Art gallery in Park Palace. Moretti Fine Art in collaboration with Julian Solms is showcasing the exhibition ‘And There Was Light’, proposing a dialogue between Ingeborg zu Schleswig-Holstein’s incandescent, chromatically charged abstract compositions and the gold ground works of the masters Simone dei Crocifissi, Barnaba da Modena and Arrigo Niccolò.
Juxtaposing her works with gold ground panels like Barnaba da Modena’s Saint Catherine of Alexandria—the eponymous Saint who is the patron of artists and women—the exhibition underscores themes of creation and transcendence central to the artist’s oeuvre. It reflects a mutual aspiration to transcend the material and offer a glimpse of the eternal.
A portion of the exhibition’s proceeds will be donated to the AMADE worldwide association under the patronage of the Princess of Hanover.
The incredible works of Ingeborg zu Schleswig-Holstein at the Moretti Fine Art gallery. Photo by Monaco Life.
Almine Rech
Just a few metres walk away on Avenue de la Costa is Almine Rech, Monaco’s newest gallery, and its exhibition ‘Nature’s Reflections’. Here, visitors can find Miquel Barceló, Jean-Baptiste Bernadeiler, Gregor Migurandt, John McAllister, Anthony Miler, Tia- Thuy Nguyen, Ugo Rondine, Thu- Van Tran… All contemporary artists who draw inspiration from the intricate beauty of nature, depicting it as a setting to express their inner feelings.
Through various artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and multimedia installations, the artists capture the essence of nature and convey its compelling narrative.
Almine Rech gallery features works by numerous contemporary artists. Photo by Monaco Life.
Boghossian
An interesting element to the walking tour is the high jewellery store Maison Boghossian, which spans over six generations and draws artistic inspiration from its beginnings on the Silk Road and Eastern opulence.
Through a combination of extraordinary gemstones and daring design, Boghossian has achieved world-record prices at auction and attracted the attention of high jewellery connoisseurs. The boutique in the Hôtel de Paris features a window installation that plays with the tension of silk cords to hold jewellery showcases in thin air, a tribute to the Boghassian’s history, which is tied to the enigmatic Silk Road.
Teos Gallery Monte-Carlo
A short stroll to the Fairmont Hotel and there is the Teos Gallery Monte-Carlo, showcasing Jordi Molla, one of Spain’s most prolific and sought-after modern-day thespians as well as a revered writer, director and painter.
The self-taught artist is known to channel as much passion and purpose into his artwork as he does with his acting, and his some of his works have taken years to complete.
Eric Massholder’s ‘Mystic Reality’ at the Kamil Art Gallery. Photo by Monaco Life.
Kamil Art Gallery
Further down the hill, not far from the Grimaldi Forum, is the Kamil Art Gallery, with a very eye-catching exhibition ‘Eric Massholder – Mystic Reality’. This solo exhibition features the most recent paintings by the German artist and invites the audience into the ceremonial events of dance, music, drink and food. These imaginative events are exceptional because the main guests and hosts are aliens.
In partnership with the House of Fine Arts network, Yellow Korner Gallery is presenting Anne von Freyburg’s provocative ‘Papillotage’ series during Monaco Art Week, a collection that challenges traditional depictions of femininity.
Yellow Korner on Avenue Henri Dunant is one of 18 local art addresses participating in the 2024 edition of Monaco Art Week, and the gallery has teamed up with the internationally focused House of Fine Arts (HOFA) to host Anne von Freyburg’s debut as an exhibiting artist in the Principality for the occasion.
“I feel very grateful to be exhibiting my series during the Monaco Art Week as this is an incredible opportunity to show my work to a different audience and spread my message of continuing to break boundaries,” says von Freyburg, a Dutch artist based in London who has already collaborated several times with HOFA.
von Freyburg holds an MFA from Goldsmiths (2016) and a BA in Fashion Design from ArtEZ Arnhem. Her catalogue of works, some of which were featured in the 2022 Tapestry Triennial at the Central Textile Museum in Lodz, Poland, has earned her the Robert Walters UK New Artists Award (2021) as well as prominent exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery.
She is currently making waves in the art world with her latest series, which seeks to disrupt traditional portrayals of women in art. Furthermore, her work, which centralises women as subjects rather than objects, breaks away from the historically idolised female forms based on Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
“I’ve been observing how women always think about how they are behaving, how they look, what they are eating, and all these things come from society and affect psychology,” she tells Monaco Life. “I want to free myself and women from these limitations.”
In this ‘Papillotage’ series, von Freyburg boldly uses colour, shape and medium, rejecting the confines of restrictive frames or canvases. This new body of work is, in her words, disruptive and seductive. It showcases her ambitions to challenge societal views on women and the female aesthetic.
She explains, “This idea of femininity and how femininity is constructed also limits women. This is why I chose these materials and mediums, as textiles and sewing are linked with craft and the female history of sewing, which fits that notion of historical oppression of women.”
Her large-scale textile paintings are reconstructed Rococo portraits created from a blend of tapestry and contemporary fashion fabrics. von Freyburg begins with acrylic ink and then translates her paintings into hand-stitched fabrics that give the pieces an almost corporeal presence.
“Rococo art is made for the male gaze, so what I wanted to do is make art for the female gaze. But also, it’s not just about women, it’s about people in general who are restricted by societal concepts, so my work talks about gender,” von Freyburg shares with Monaco Life.
Her works are also intended as critiques of the excesses of throwaway fashion, selfies and consumerism. By conceptually merging fine art and applied art, she aims to blur the boundaries between these concepts, prompting viewers to question the world around them.
To see more from the evening, click on the images below:
The role of satellite data and space technologies in mitigating climate change and increasing our understanding of the challenges facing the world’s oceans was the focus of the recent Ocean Space Forum, which united leading figures from the spheres of science, politics and the economy for a series of fascinating discussions and conferences in Monaco earlier this week.
The 2024 Ocean Space Forum was held at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco on 2nd July. Organised by the Monaco Government’s Space Affairs Office in collaboration with the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the French publication Prométhée Earth Intelligence, it sought to promote the potential advances that could be gained through the integration of space technologies into ocean studies and research.
Speaking via video link, Prince Albert II of Monaco addresses those gathered, saying, “Today’s programme will illustrate how space data can be a valuable tool for ocean health and sustainability. It allows us to understand our oceans better globally and in real-time… This data is now more advanced, precise and accessible than ever, and deserves to be fully utilised to achieve our ambitious environmental goals.”
Among those in attendance were scientific, political and economic leaders from various governments, institutions and international bodies, who united beneath one roof to discuss critical topics such as marine ecosystem preservation, Blue Economy development and climate change mitigation.
Monaco Life joined the audience to learn how advancements in space technologies are contributing to improved monitoring and management of marine ecosystems the world over.
Indeed, the borderless nature of space, paired with the growing will to promote global responsibility for environmental protections, was a key theme of the event.
“We are at a critical juncture in terms of ocean protection,” said Susana Salvador, Executive Secretary at Accobams. “There is a military, geopolitical crisis now, and it’s our duty to protect the oceans and vulnerable communities who depend on the ocean.”
The forum also explored the role of satellite data in enhancing our understanding of the health of coral reefs, mangroves and salt marshes, which are all vital for carbon capture. The affiliated technologies allow for real-time observation of environmental changes, aiding in habitat protection and conservation.
“An important aspect is that these innovations are shared by the international community, as social and cultural concepts play a big role in ocean conservation,” said Patrick Vincent, Scientific Advisor to the Special Envoy of the President of France for the United Nations Ocean Conference.
Vincent also highlighted Copernicus as a successful example of ocean conservation. Copernicus is an EU-funded program dedicated to monitoring and protecting the Earth’s environment, including the oceans, through comprehensive satellite and ground-based data collection.
Other related areas that were touched on included the role of space technologies in collecting data on sea levels, ocean temperatures and currents. These insights are essential for understanding the impacts of climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coastal cities and vulnerable ecosystems.Satellite monitoring can also be used to detect illegal activities, such as unlawful fishing.
Jean-Charles Tonelli, Scientific Advisor at Grogenics, stressed, “Ocean protection goes hand in hand with climate change.”
The Blue Economy
Another focal point was the development of the Blue Economy and how integrating space technologies into marine resource management can open new avenues for sustainable economic growth, including fisheries monitoring, marine resource management and improved maritime security.
“Only 8% of the oceans are under protection; that’s why we need to do more in terms of ocean preservation,” said Romain Renoux, Executive Director at the MedFund.
UNOC 2025 preparation
Next year’s Ocean Space Forum will coincide with the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025, which will be dually hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica in the city of Nice next year. It is predicted to unite more than 200 Heads of State and Government with the mission of advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“This second edition of the Ocean Space Forum builds on the success of its first edition in 2023 and sets the stage for the next event in Nice, alongside the third UNOC,” said Prince Albert. “I am convinced that space has much to offer in addressing the challenges of this crucial multilateral event.”
The site on the Terrasses de Fontvieille that was once home to the Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection has been empty for the two years since the museum moved to its new location in Port Hercule, but the government is keen to revive the address with a new youth centre. The task now is to find the right people or person to run it.
For nearly 30 years, the massive 5,000sqm site was the premises for the Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection. The museum was relocated to a subterranean facility in Port Hercule in 2022 ahead of a planned redevelopment project in the Fontvieille area, which appears to have been paused for the time being.
Now it has been decided that the locale should be transformed into a play and leisure centre for the youth of the Principality, and the government has announced that a tendering process for the running and management of the concept will soon be opened.
The official call for applications is set to be published in the Journal de Monaco on 5th July. To access the official platform, which is used to announce new bills and laws, click here.
It is available in both French and English, although some content is limited to French language.
